It's been another year of growth, memories, and fun for many who have played beach volleyball throughout the year, and Scott Warkentin says there is great times ahead.
Opportunity to play
"I love how volleyball is growing around south eastern Manitoba," Warkentin explains. "There are lot of great opportunities that we have in the area. Beach volleyball in particular has been a big passion of mine, I love getting outside in the sunshine, made a lot of really good friends, and helped develop some really great skill in the area. There's a bunch of different events in the south east, I play in a league every week in Steinbach, co-ed beach league, that's a great one to go see. There are a lot of local leagues throughout communities. They have indoor beach leagues, too. It's been growing like crazy, which is a good thing."
More players means more opportunities
So many communities are buying into the hype, and having events for players and fans to enjoy, something Warkentin believes is key to growing the sport. "Beach volleyball is something amazing, especially for high school athletes, it give opportunities to keep building your skills out of school season. It's a different game, there are different dynamics, you have a lot more covers you need to do, you have less people on the court, and it really helps well round your athletes. Especially for athletes that are leaving high school, if they are maybe not as much playing indoor, it's a great way to keep the sport alive. That's really going to drive the growth for the sport."
It's not just for high schoolers, Warkentin believes it's great for all ages and skillsets. "It's the type of sport that's a great social event. I've made many friends, really good connections from playing. It helps keep you athletic, keeps you outside, and it gets you moving at least once a week."
Up next, Kleefeld
The Kleefeld Honey Festival is coming up, and during that event, Warkentin says there will be a beach tournament, and there's room for more teams. "August 23rd, there's a tournament going on at the Honey Festival. Starting around one o'clock, teams of four vs four, and one of the big advantages about the Kleefeld tournament is, it's really cheap, it's only $20 per team. It's a really great opportunity to get together with friends, and have a nice tournament. If you do well, there's even honey prize for the first place team."
When it comes to asking questions, learning more about volleyball games or leagues around the area, or entering a team into the Kleefeld tournament, Warkentin says it's very easy. "Anyone interested can send me a message or call me, 204-381-2690. You can also email swarkentin12@gmail.com."
What is next for beach volleyball?
Beyond just the Honey Festival tournament, Warkentin says there's a path to make beach volleyball even bigger. "Obviously, I love the sport, so the more tournaments that pop up, the better. The more leagues, the better. Getting more players in the games leads to more tournaments in different communities. More events drives interest, and build passion for the sport."